SOLD. Humboldt: Presentation copy: Inscribed by the naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt for the Danish scientist H.C. Ørsted.

866/185

Alexander von Humboldt (b. Berlin 1769, d. 1859)

H.C. Ørsted (b. Rudkøbing 1777, d. København 1851)

Alexander von Humboldt: Kosmos. Entwurf einer physischen Weltbeschreibung. Stuttgart and Tübingen: J.G. Cotta 1845. 1st ed. 8vo. Inscribed by the author for the Danish scientist H.C. Ørsted (“Herrn Conferenz Rath Prof. Oersted als ein schwaches Zeichen inniger Verehrung / der Verf.”). With autograph letter by Ørsted's wife Birgitte Ørsted for professor Christian Fenger enclosed. Bound in cont. half morocco with blue silk boards and all edges gilt. Binding comissioned by Humboldt. Upper part of front hinge with crack. In slipcase. + Alexander von Humboldt: Kosmos. Entwurf einer physischen Weltbeschreibung. 5 parts in 6 vols. Stuttgart and Tübingen: J.G. Cotta 1845–1862. Titles with foxing and old name. All text volumes bound in nice half morocco. + Traugott Bromme (publ.): Atlas zu Alex. v. Humboldt's Kosmos in zweiundvierzig Tafeln mit erläuterndem Texte. Stuttgart: Krais & Hoffmann [no date]. Oblong folio. Complete with 42 coloured maps. Bound in cont. decorated cloth, rebacked with leather, corners reinforced. (8)

Humboldt's scientific achivements cover an enormous field. He laid the foundation of modern physical geography, meteoroliy and geography of plants. [...] It was Kosmos - 'The Cosmos, Outline of a Description of the Physical World' - based on lectures delivered at the Berlin Sing akademie in 1828–9, which Humboldt really considered as his life work. [...]. In his own words it was meant 'to represent in one work the whole material world, everything we know today of the phenomena in the celestial spaces and of life on earth, from the nebulae to the geography of mosses on granite rocks...it is meant to describe a chapter in the intellectual development of mankind'". (PMM #320).

The atlas volume contains a suite of topographical, meteorological, and other maps depicting every continent and region of the globe. This set includes the fifth text volume, not found in all sets. Rare.

Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.

Condition

Condition report on request.

Auction

Paintings, drawings & books, 20 September 2016